Hey Beth...yes, I'm seeing a pain doc now. And he's not associated in any way with my TOS surgeon. That surgeon wasn't even in my state. I had my TOS surgery in December of 05, so next month will be one year. Supposedly I had RSD also at that time, cuz the surgeon is the one who told me I did, based on some color changes and sensitivity to slight breezes and light touch during my exam. AFTER my surgery, and back home here in Michigan, I went to PT...and when I went, I asked the therapist why my hand was so badly "shedding" - I mean, the skin was so HORRIBLY dead that it wasn't just regular dried skin...it was actually flaking into POWDER. She took one look at it and said, "Lisa! This is RSD!" and immediately made me an appointment for the Dr there - and I can't remember what his title was, what TYPE of doctor. But he is the one who wanted to do the SGB. He contacted my surgeon, and the surgeon said ABSOLUTELY NOT! He said it was way too soon after the TOS surgery. It's my understanding that when doing the SGB, they put the needle somewhere into your neck, and since I had 2 scalenes removed, and the top rib, and I was still very, very swollen and sore in that area, as were the "internal things," it would be almost impossible for the person giving the block to get the needle into the right place...and I guess it has to be pretty precise. So, that was cancelled. (This was only about one month after my surgery).

The doctor at PT said he considered at that time that my having the block was an "emergency" and he was quite disappointed that my surgeon nixed it. My surgeon also told him he did not, under ANY circumstances, want me having the blocks until at LEAST 6-9 months after my surgery. PT doc was extremely upset...But he said that he had to go along with what the surgeon wanted...that when he and his office were treating post surgical patients, they had to go along with a surgeons treatment protocol. And especially when it came to TOS, cuz it's such a rare disorder, and my surgeon had STRICT instructions for what I was and was not to do.

I was in therapy for about 4 or 5 months. We did what we could as far as the RSD was concerned. WE did desensitization, they taught me about it, we did tendon glides, and they explained to me that if I did not keep these tendons and muscles, etc active that they would eventually shorten and I'd end up with a "claw hand." So I'm EXTREMELY satisfied with what they did as far as therapy goes.

When going to therapy, the pt doc was also taking care of my prescriptions. They determined they had done as much as they could do....gave me a 2 week break, and had me do some exercises at home, and go about my daily business then measured me again after that. Found that I was making the same (minimal) progress I was making there (I had hit a wall, where I was making SMALLER progress than I was in the beginning) so they discharged me. The doc gave me my final rx's and told me to find an md near home (cuz I had moved from where I had been originally). I did...and FINALLY I found a doc who recognized my pain and my illnesses and sent me to a pain doctor immediately.

I am EXTREMELY comfortable with this pain doc. The first time I saw him, I was a bit "put off" by his cold bedside manner. It was a "wham, bam, thank ya ma'am" type deal...but after seeing him a few times, I realize now it's only because he knows what he's doing. I didn't have to go into detail with him, explain to him like a little kid (like all the other docs) what this disease is, how it makes me feel, how it's really NOT all in my head, and it really DOES hurt and all that...only for them to tell me I'm nuts. And I've seen 3 different docs at this place...and every one of them have said the same thing..."it's too late." They all say that since I had rsd BEFORE the surgery, and I had TOS for over 5 years, chances are I've had the RSD for much of the time I've had the TOS, cuz much of the time it goes hand in hand, and I also recall the sensitivity to light breeze and touch for that entire time. So they all feel that with me having the both conditions (presumably) for so long (though the rsd for SURE for at LEAST a year) that it's "too late" for the sgb.

And quite frankly...the thought of needles in my neck scares the BEEJEEZUS out of me.

Hello Ada...I got your PM...and tried to mail you back yesterday. Though I did, but when I checked, I guess I didn't. When I was closing down my puter yesterday, my email hung up, so all the mails I had responded to that were ready to send, didn't send...and didn't save either. So I responded to you thru the pm's here today I appreciate the offer to talk if Ineed it. You're a sweetheart

See...thing is, I didn't listen to just ONE doctor though. In fact, out of 3 pain docs, one surgeon, and another another doc (my PT doc, I want to say he's a psyiatrist maybe???) only ONE recommended the block...and that's the pt doc right in the beginning (I posted the whole hoopla to Beth in my really long winded post to her if you feel like reading a novel!). So I don't get it really.

I dunno. I also don't like needles that much. I can handle them in my arm, but to see one coming for my neck just totally freaks me out. I dont know if I'd be able to handle that, or even to relax enough to be able to go thru it.

When you have a SGB you are usually under general anestetic. You will not see that needle coming at you. I do believe some people have said they have been awake when it was done but it's not usually the rule.

With a SGB you usually wake up sounding like Donald Duck for awhile and you have a sore throat and sometimes no voice for awhile but it it works and you are asleep you might want to think about it.

I do know what you are saying about shots. I'm had those IV's put everywhere in me, even my feet. I have had 100's of triggerpoint injections maybe close to 1000. I got 28 in my stomach twice at one time and that hurt. I do have a Dr. though that can do those tp shots and I can't even tell I'm getting them. He says I have a high tolerance to pain but I don't. I cried and cried for about 5 years with the worst pain I thought a person could ever deal with. When you get that bad then it's hard not to say do anything to you.

I can't believe that you are able to work, that is wonderful. I always am happy to hear that a person can work. They have to be extra strong to do that.

Keep looking for the right Drs. because if you don't give up you will find them. I use to think there was no such thing as a good Dr. but I have a very good team now.

Have a good evening girl, hopefully with very little pain.
Ada

Ada, don't be thinking I'm that strong. I work in an office, doing all the bookkeeping, but this place is so small, it's just me, the owner and one other guy. So that tells you how much work I do. And....my filing hasn't been done ALL YEAR. I have GOT to do that. But my hands hurt so bad that by the time i'm done internetting and typing shippers, I'm spent and cant do anything else...so I just don't get the filing done. Maybe if I'd do THAT instead of typing HERE I'd get it done???? Nah! why shoul I do that? Dr said typing IS good exercise for my hands, right? So this is THERAPY! Surely my boss would agree! LOL!

See...thing is...I've been here 8 years (day after Thanksgiving will be 8 years). My boss is a friend of my Mom and Stepfather's. And he's almost like a father to me. And he's said on several occassions that when he retires (and he's going to be 67 in Feb on Groundhogs day and is already collecting SS) that he's going to give the company to me and my coworker. GIVE! Not SELL, but GIVE. Now, granted, he's said that at times after a "liquid lunch" but at other times when he HASN'T had that...and we DO know for sure that he's willed the company to the two of us with 51/49 ownership - with me having 51% because I'm a woman and hopefully that would get us some benefits with it being "minority owned." The building is already paid for, all the equipment is paid for, etc. We are well known all over the area, and this company has been in business over 40 years. He bought it from the previous owners (he used to work for them). So IF THAT HAPPENS, then I really can be here in an "owners" position which would be more "sales" and actually be able to hire someone PART TIME to do what I do (cuz what I do really COULD be done only part time if it weren't for the phones). Plus...the insurance is GREAT.

So how can I give up? Luckily my doctors are all for someone with RSD to continue working...so they are doing all they can to help me to CONTINUE working. Everyone in my family and SO's family are trying to get me to apply for SSD, but I'm trying NOT TO...cuz what I "may" stand to lose in the longrun, which is part ownership of this company, is too much...

Does this tell you why I sufffer thru and why i really shouldn't be considered "strong"? LOL!

OT... Di, I hope you, buried in books and the rest of us in N.E. Pa., escaped onscaved in our recent storm... seem like the year is starting to end the way its started !!!

~MARK-n-GOOBER~~~